O Brentwoods 14 - 15 H&D

The weather had meant it was a perfect day for rugby and both sides set out to put on a display as the season begins to draw to an end.

The home side started strongly and showed clear intent of working the ball through their forward pack putting the harwich team under pressure.

Clearly after the first 10 minutes the travelling team started to work the journey out of their legs and Harwich started moving the ball freely in the back line with some incredible handling on show.

After some dominant forward carrying and offloading, the away side were awarded a penalty just inside the opponents half and harwichs kicking centre stepped up to try and slot the three points. The ball sailed slightly wide of the post but showed that anything within the opponents half could potentially lead to points.

From the resultant clearance, a fine break through the middle of the park from ever present Leeks and Mills allowed the ball to be moved wide quickly for the center and wings to score in the corner. Unfortunately the play was bought back for a forward pass and so the try was discounted, but this showed the ability the Harwich backs possessed when unleashed.

Harwich were back on the attack straight away and after strong carries again from Leeks and a smart offload to the outstanding Kite, Harwich were again on the front foot and attacking the opponents goal line. The attack broke down after some string defence nd a turn over was conceded.

Old Brentwoods were not in the mood to give up and roll over and put together some strong running attacks themselves, also looking to use thr width of the pitch to gain good ground. As the ball was moved forward a clever kick from the fly half almost turned into points as the winger narrowly missed gathering the ball to score. A lucky let off for Harwich.

The half finished nil nil, but the score did not reflect the exciting game that had been played to this point.

Harwich started the second half the stronger and went straight on the attack. After a powerful scrum in the midfield, a penalty was awarded and Harwich opted to kick to the corner. From the next lineout, Harwich were able to break the line of defence and score in the corner which was not converted making it 0-5.

Clearly incensed by conceding the home side went on the attack straight from the kick off and recovering the ball were able to work through the Harwich defence that were clearly still celebrating the try of their own, which allowed Old Brentwoods to score a try themselves which was duly converted making the score 7-5.

Harwich went back on the attack and again using their wide passing through the forwards, started to gain ground. The ball broke freely towards the wing and through some unselfish play, the ball made its way to Sterry to score again in the corner after some wonderful handling. The try was not converted making the score 7-10.

Again Harwich went back on the attack as a bonus point seemed possible and although met with some strong defence, the ball was worked out to Mills who rolled back the years to show an incredible turn of pace and break down the blind side wing. With just the winger to beat, the years took hold and rather than run the ball, Mills opted to kick through to allow the far younger and faster Sterry the opportunity to speed down the wing and score another unconverted try making the score 7-15.

Desperate to provide a home win, Brentwoods came straight back after the kick off to attack again themselves and with some deft handling skills were able to break the Harwich line and go through to score under the posts and convert making the score 14-15 with only a few minutes to go.

Although Brentwoods pressed the Harwich line time and time again, strong defence by the Harwich pack, led by Man of the Match Ben Eldridge allowed the away side to hold on for a hard fought away win.

Harwich host Writtle in their final home league match of the campaign next Saturday at the low road ground, with their second team hosting Halstead for what should be a great day of rugby.

Report by Robert Wood